Excited Soliders Getting Ahead of Themselves?

If you walk through The University of Texas at Austin campus today, you may notice a little more purple than normal. You might wonder to yourself why everybody seems to be confused into thinking they go to TCU all of a sudden. So where did all the burnt orange go?

Well if you log into your facebook account, you will probably get some answers. In fact, I would bet that you have a few friends whose status' say something to the extent of "Wear purple today...support gay rights."

It is pretty apparent that gay rights is a hot topic right now. Students all across the University are wearing purple to support the cause. Many are reaching out in response to recent nationwide suicides by young, gay students. But the issue of gay rights is also being addressed in the military. A New York Times article discuss recent changes pertaining to the armed forces.

Federal Judge Virgina A. Phillips made a controversial, landmark ruling last month that overturned the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. Her ruling overturned the policy on grounds that it violates the equal protection and First Amendment rights of service members.

Judge Phillips' ruling is a huge success for those who have been working hard to get the policy overturned. These policy opposers are finally seeing real political action to support their goals.

But ever since the ruling, it has been widely known that the Department of Justice would likely submit an appeal. This appeal will take time. Thus, since Judge Phillips' ruling, armed forces have been ordered to stop enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Many ex-soldiers who were honorably discharged because of the policy are taking advantage of the recent ruling and are attempting to reenlist. This must be very exciting for these men and women who have the opportunity to work in the field they love again. But, they should be cautious not to get ahead of themselves.

If the Department of Justice's appeal is successful and the supreme court's ruling is reversed, it is possible that the newly enlisted soldiers could find themselves in the very position they were in a few years back.

I'm not saying that these soldiers shouldn't get excited about the possibility of being able to openly serve their country. But the fact is that for the time being, it is just a possibility. And I believe that being discharged from service on two separate occasions would be difficult for anyone to handle.